10th of October is a day specialized for World Mental Health Day. The basic theme of this annual campaign is to draw world-wide attention to enhance the overall health and promoting mental health by integrating healthcare services. World Mental Health Day can improve the chance and possibility for better diagnostic, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and mental health problems. This is how the integration serves to promote the improved mental and emotional wellness of people worldwide and to bring mental health care to a higher level of importance.
As Mental Health refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being. Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. According to the perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community".
It is observed that mental disorders are affecting people of all ages and from all cultures and socio-economic status. Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are common in all regions of the world, affecting every community and age group across all income countries. While 14% of the global burden of disease is attributed to these disorders, most of the people affected - 75% in many low-income countries - do not have access to the treatment they need. Mental and medical conditions are highly interconnected. Therefore, improving care for individuals with mental disorders requires close attention to the interface of mental health and general medical care.
In regards to Pakistan, which is an under developed country and having low literacy rate. Its population is fast growing and the majority (70%) lives in rural areas with a feudal or tribal value system. The economy is dependent on agriculture and 35% of the population lives below the poverty line. Islam is the main religion and 'mental illnesses' are stigmatized and widely perceived to have supernatural causes. The traditional healers along with psychiatric services are the main mental health service providers. The number of trained mental health professionals is small as compared to the population demands and specialist services are virtually non-existent. Lack of data on prevalence of various mental illnesses and monitory constraints are the major hurdles in the development of mental health services. A number of innovative programmes to develop indigenous models of care like the 'Community Mental Health Programme' and 'Schools Mental Health Programme' have been developed. These programmes have been found effective in reducing stigma and increase awareness of mental illness amongst the adults and children living in rural areas. Efforts by the government and mental health professionals have led to the implementation of a 'National Mental Health Policy' and 'Mental Health Act'. They aim at integrating mental health services with the existing health services, improving mental health care delivery and safeguarding the rights of mentally ill people.
Besides these governmental and non governmental organizations, we team NAYS and PSF being literate and responsible citizens, we should also try to play our part voluntarily to bring more and more awareness among the people who don't know very much about it and destroy the lives of their dears just because suggestions of professional foolish quakes.
We believe it is an over responsibility to guide our people as no one from outside will come to make us flourished and prosperous. It is our own country, these are our own people and we have to make them aware and established. I would to like to end up with the below mentioned Islamic verse:
''This is because Allah would never change a favor that he has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition, and know that Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing''
For further studies:
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